University of Missouri Appoints A Black Interim President

The University of Missouri appointed Michael Middleton, a black law professor and former administrator at the school as its interim president. Middleton has a strong pedigree at Missouri, where he holds the distinction of being one of the school's first black law school graduates. He also spent 30 years attending and working at the university, starting as an an undergrad.

"I have seen the system grow and excel over the years and I look with great optimism in the future," the 60-year-old Middleton, who retired from the school in August, said on Thursday.

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"We all must heighten our focus, improve our culture ...and share the responsibility to see our university advance in healthy ways built upon respect for others," he said. "I am energized. We need to get our community together, working together."

Middleton's appointment comes just three days after Tim Wolfe resigned as president of the university following more than a month of protests over racial issues on the flagship campus of Columbia. The unrest started in September following a series of racist incidents—including someone drawing a swastika on a wall with human poop—but quickly gained national attention when dozens of black players on the university's football team said they wouldn't participate until Wolfe resigned. He stepped down two days later. The same day the school's chancellor also resigned.

"Given the recent turmoil, Deputy Chancellor Emeritus Middleton is a strong transitional figure," MU Policy Now, a student group made up of graduate and professional students, said in a Facebook post.

Concerned Student 1950, a student group helping lead the protests at the university, also tweeted it support of Middleton.

We strongly support Deputy. Chancellor Middleton as Interim President; however we are still pushing for shared governance.